The 25th annual Citizen Police Academy will be offered to the general public by the Newtown Police Department this spring.

The free informational program is intended to explain local law enforcement to town residents and to those living in surrounding communities. The program is open to people who are at least 18 years old.

Sergeant Matthew Wood, who joined the police department nearly 15 years ago, will be the academy’s coordinator. Sgt Wood is the department’s drug recognition expert.

The deadline to register for the academy is March 13. The academy is scheduled to start on Sunday, March 24. The ten-week program is conducted weekly in three-hour sessions that run from 3 to 6 pm on Sundays.

Police department members and other local people in the law enforcement field will give talks on their areas of expertise and field questions.

The academy will allow participants to interact with police officers and to discuss the issues facing the field of law enforcement. Also, participants will be given the option of taking part in a ride-along session with a police officer in a patrol vehicle.

Applicants will be subject to a “criminal history record verification” prior to their approval to take the course. For more information, contact Sgt Wood at 203-426-5841 or matthew.wood@newtown-ct.gov.